Comments Off on Bradford homeless charity benefits from fundraising sleepout

By Abi Bates

A HOMELESS charity in Bradford has received a Christmas gift of £8,500 after fundraising sleep out.

The event took place on November 10, but donations have continued to pour in to the fundraising page and an additional £2,500 has now been collected.

The charity Inn Churches said the money will go towards providing shelter, clothing, food and support for people struggling with homelessness.

Inn Churches set up an event four years ago called Suits On The Street which takes place at the arches near Forster Square train station.

The event was set up to encourage people to sleep out for a night in the Bradford streets and raise awareness for homelessness.

Project manager at Inn Churches, Juli Thompson, said: “We’ve set up the event initially to stop the homeless dying on the streets.

“There’s been a lot of cases where people have been found dead in tents. I have been homeless myself I know what it’s like.”

Many people attended the event, including children as young as 10 years old, accompanied by parents.

Volunteers were kept safe throughout with warm food and entertainment.

IT consultant, Peter Gabel, who has been fundraising for the charity for the past few years said: “I think the homeless can get a bad name, by helping charities direct you know that the money is going to go towards something good for them.”

Social worker, Alexandra Fury, said: “I took part for the first time, I went along because I work with a lot of people in crisis and I think it’s important to do my bit.”